Simón Ballen is interested in the history and future of materials
Simon Ballen Botero is a Colombian product designer who focuses on issues related to crafts, material culture, and local identities. He established his studio with the mission to explore the use of local resources and materials to create sustainable solutions that engage with communities and their contexts. Simon Ballen Botero's current mission emphasizes transforming waste materials into valuable resources, promoting circular economy principles, and fostering community involvement in the design process. Core values include sustainability, innovation, and social responsibility, with a purpose to redefine the relationship between design, materials, and local cultures.
Location
Headquarters: Medellín, Colombia.
Primary manufacturing/operations locations: Various locations based on project requirements and collaborations, including Europe and Colombia.
The Circular Vision
Core circular economy principles: Designing out waste, using recycled and upcycled materials, and creating products that promote environmental awareness and sustainable practices.
Key innovations: Development of projects like "Suelo Orfebre," which transforms mining waste into glass objects, and collaborations with local craftsmen to create sustainable products from recycled materials.
Prioritization of local sourcing and closed-loop supply chains: Emphasis on using locally sourced waste materials and sustainable production methods to minimize environmental impact and support local economies.
Pioneering Solutions
Flagship projects: "Suelo Orfebre" (transforming mining waste into glass objects), "Well Wishers" (collaborative project with Greenlandic women using traditional garments), and various projects exploring the use of recycled glass and other waste materials.
Unique value propositions: High-quality, innovative design solutions that prioritize circularity, material reuse, and environmental responsibility. Simon Ballen Botero's work is known for its ability to transform waste materials into valuable, culturally significant objects that engage with local communities.
The Regenerative Future
R&D focus areas: Advancing techniques for transforming waste materials, exploring new applications for recycled and upcycled materials, and developing solutions that further reduce waste and energy consumption in design and production processes.
Ambitious goals: To lead the design industry in sustainable practices, create zero-waste products, and inspire a shift towards a regenerative approach to design and material usage.
Fact Sheet
Commercial Availability: Design services and products available through collaborations, exhibitions, and partnerships with cultural institutions and local communities.
Circularity Rating: 5/5 (Strong focus on circular economy principles and waste reduction).
Cost Rating: 4/5 (Competitive with high-end design services, with significant value in sustainability and innovation).
Material Passport: Detailed material traceability and use of recycled and upcycled materials in projects.
Designed for Disassembly: Yes, products are often designed for easy disassembly and recycling.
Carbon Performance: Focus on reducing carbon footprint through the use of locally sourced waste materials and sustainable production methods. Committed to minimizing environmental impact through efficient design and manufacturing processes.
Key Takeaway
Simon Ballen Botero transforms the design industry through innovative, sustainable solutions that prioritize circular economy principles, setting a benchmark for environmental responsibility and material innovation in contemporary design.
Explore Further
Simon Ballen Botero website: https://www.simonballen.com
Simon Ballen Botero is a Colombian product designer who focuses on issues related to crafts, material culture, and local identities. He established his studio with the mission to explore the use of local resources and materials to create sustainable solutions that engage with communities and their contexts. Simon Ballen Botero's current mission emphasizes transforming waste materials into valuable resources, promoting circular economy principles, and fostering community involvement in the design process. Core values include sustainability, innovation, and social responsibility, with a purpose to redefine the relationship between design, materials, and local cultures.
Location
Headquarters: Medellín, Colombia.
Primary manufacturing/operations locations: Various locations based on project requirements and collaborations, including Europe and Colombia.
The Circular Vision
Core circular economy principles: Designing out waste, using recycled and upcycled materials, and creating products that promote environmental awareness and sustainable practices.
Key innovations: Development of projects like "Suelo Orfebre," which transforms mining waste into glass objects, and collaborations with local craftsmen to create sustainable products from recycled materials.
Prioritization of local sourcing and closed-loop supply chains: Emphasis on using locally sourced waste materials and sustainable production methods to minimize environmental impact and support local economies.
Pioneering Solutions
Flagship projects: "Suelo Orfebre" (transforming mining waste into glass objects), "Well Wishers" (collaborative project with Greenlandic women using traditional garments), and various projects exploring the use of recycled glass and other waste materials.
Unique value propositions: High-quality, innovative design solutions that prioritize circularity, material reuse, and environmental responsibility. Simon Ballen Botero's work is known for its ability to transform waste materials into valuable, culturally significant objects that engage with local communities.
The Regenerative Future
R&D focus areas: Advancing techniques for transforming waste materials, exploring new applications for recycled and upcycled materials, and developing solutions that further reduce waste and energy consumption in design and production processes.
Ambitious goals: To lead the design industry in sustainable practices, create zero-waste products, and inspire a shift towards a regenerative approach to design and material usage.
Fact Sheet
Commercial Availability: Design services and products available through collaborations, exhibitions, and partnerships with cultural institutions and local communities.
Circularity Rating: 5/5 (Strong focus on circular economy principles and waste reduction).
Cost Rating: 4/5 (Competitive with high-end design services, with significant value in sustainability and innovation).
Material Passport: Detailed material traceability and use of recycled and upcycled materials in projects.
Designed for Disassembly: Yes, products are often designed for easy disassembly and recycling.
Carbon Performance: Focus on reducing carbon footprint through the use of locally sourced waste materials and sustainable production methods. Committed to minimizing environmental impact through efficient design and manufacturing processes.
Key Takeaway
Simon Ballen Botero transforms the design industry through innovative, sustainable solutions that prioritize circular economy principles, setting a benchmark for environmental responsibility and material innovation in contemporary design.
Explore Further
Simon Ballen Botero website: https://www.simonballen.com
Simon Ballen Botero is a Colombian product designer who focuses on issues related to crafts, material culture, and local identities. He established his studio with the mission to explore the use of local resources and materials to create sustainable solutions that engage with communities and their contexts. Simon Ballen Botero's current mission emphasizes transforming waste materials into valuable resources, promoting circular economy principles, and fostering community involvement in the design process. Core values include sustainability, innovation, and social responsibility, with a purpose to redefine the relationship between design, materials, and local cultures.
Location
Headquarters: Medellín, Colombia.
Primary manufacturing/operations locations: Various locations based on project requirements and collaborations, including Europe and Colombia.
The Circular Vision
Core circular economy principles: Designing out waste, using recycled and upcycled materials, and creating products that promote environmental awareness and sustainable practices.
Key innovations: Development of projects like "Suelo Orfebre," which transforms mining waste into glass objects, and collaborations with local craftsmen to create sustainable products from recycled materials.
Prioritization of local sourcing and closed-loop supply chains: Emphasis on using locally sourced waste materials and sustainable production methods to minimize environmental impact and support local economies.
Pioneering Solutions
Flagship projects: "Suelo Orfebre" (transforming mining waste into glass objects), "Well Wishers" (collaborative project with Greenlandic women using traditional garments), and various projects exploring the use of recycled glass and other waste materials.
Unique value propositions: High-quality, innovative design solutions that prioritize circularity, material reuse, and environmental responsibility. Simon Ballen Botero's work is known for its ability to transform waste materials into valuable, culturally significant objects that engage with local communities.
The Regenerative Future
R&D focus areas: Advancing techniques for transforming waste materials, exploring new applications for recycled and upcycled materials, and developing solutions that further reduce waste and energy consumption in design and production processes.
Ambitious goals: To lead the design industry in sustainable practices, create zero-waste products, and inspire a shift towards a regenerative approach to design and material usage.
Fact Sheet
Commercial Availability: Design services and products available through collaborations, exhibitions, and partnerships with cultural institutions and local communities.
Circularity Rating: 5/5 (Strong focus on circular economy principles and waste reduction).
Cost Rating: 4/5 (Competitive with high-end design services, with significant value in sustainability and innovation).
Material Passport: Detailed material traceability and use of recycled and upcycled materials in projects.
Designed for Disassembly: Yes, products are often designed for easy disassembly and recycling.
Carbon Performance: Focus on reducing carbon footprint through the use of locally sourced waste materials and sustainable production methods. Committed to minimizing environmental impact through efficient design and manufacturing processes.
Key Takeaway
Simon Ballen Botero transforms the design industry through innovative, sustainable solutions that prioritize circular economy principles, setting a benchmark for environmental responsibility and material innovation in contemporary design.
Explore Further
Simon Ballen Botero website: https://www.simonballen.com
